Our publications - 2024

Sight loss and the minimum cost of living: 2024 update paper In 2016, we carried out research to identify the different and/or additional needs and costs of reaching a minimum socially acceptable standard of living for those who are sight-impaired and severely sight-impaired. This research identified a wide range of additional needs, increasing the cost of a weekly minimum budget for individuals who are sight impaired. While there has been no new research on the needs of individuals who are sight-impaired since 2016, this briefing estimates how much these additional costs have increased over the period between 2016 and 2024 by applying increases in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to the additional and different items identified in the original research. It also looks at what this means for the adequacy of social security benefits intended to support individuals with the additional costs of disability - Personal Independence Payments for working-age adults and Attendance Allowance for adults above state pension age. Padley, M. and Ellis, W. (2024) Sight loss and the minimum cost of living: 2024 update paper. London: RNIB - Royal National Institute of Blind People
Retirement living standards in the UK in 2023 The latest update to the Retirement Living Standards shows an increase in the cost of retirement driven both by changes in the UK public's expectations and increases to the cost-of-living. Our research reveals the impact of price rises on retired households and what they need for a minimum, moderate and comfortable standard of living. Over the last two years the price of food and energy has increased substantially. At the same time the Retirement Living Standards capture subtle changes in people鈥檚 priorities and the increasing importance they place on spending time with family and friends outside of the home. These changes in costs and expectations are reflected in the updated levels. Padley, M., Blackwell, C., Davis, A., Hill, K. and Stone, J. (2024) Retirement living standards in the UK in 2023. London: Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association